A few days before the New Year's festival, Mo Hua went early in the morning to visit Mr. Zhuang, bringing some New Year's gifts, all personally prepared by Liu Ruhua.
Mr. Zhuang had no need for things like Spirit Stones or spiritual artifacts.
Liu Ruhua thought for a long time and had no idea what would be best to give, so in the end she could only follow custom and make more delicious food to show her sincerity.
Liu Ruhua had begun preparing more than ten days in advance, bustling about all the way until now, when everything was finally ready.
There were sauced meats made from different monster beasts such as cattle, sheep, pigs, and dogs, different cuts and different flavors; there were also colorful pastries made from different grains, as well as wines brewed from osmanthus, peach blossoms, and wild mountain fruits.
Even Mr. Zhuang, who was used to eating such things, could not help being somewhat surprised when he saw them.
"So much? How could I possibly finish it all?"
Then, full of interest, he began tasting them one by one. Now and then he frowned and asked, "What meat is this? I've never tasted it before..." and now and then he nodded in praise. "This flavor is quite good."
Mo Hua stayed at the side, chatting with Mr. Zhuang.
He told Mr. Zhuang which monster beasts the meats came from, what spices had been added, whether they had been cooked over a fierce fire or a small fire, and for how many hours.
Or he asked small questions about formations, and occasionally they talked about amusing things in the city.
Many of these things were things An Xiaofu had told him.
An Xiaofu was now the young shopkeeper of Fortune Meal Pavilion. Every day he dealt